Need help with picking GPU + questions about reference design

[Munchen]

Hello there!

I am in the market for a new PC and I'm almost done picking the parts. However I can't decide if I should get a 290 or a 780. Both are priced equally here in Denmark, so don't worry about that. When I say that they are priced equally, I mean that the ASUS models of the cards are equal - not the reference cards (Where as the 290 is a lot cheaper and the 780 is a bit pricier). Which of those are best at 1440p?

And I would like to know why so many people get the reference version of the GTX 780. I mean, the cooler is significantly right? Sure, it looks outright awesome with those LED's, but is it really worth to buy it instead a, as an example, GTX 780 with the DirectCU 2 cooler from ASUS?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Munchen]

Anyone?

 

[jimmysmitty]

The Asus DCU2 cooler is superior to the reference cooler of any GPU, including the NVidia one which is pretty good for stock. The 290 reference cooler is way worse than the DCU2 cooler.

Overall the 290 is a better performer than the 780 so since you are lucky enough to not have the insane overprice we have here in the US. They just bumped it another $100 over the retail price. So instead of $450 we now are paying $700 for a R9 290 DCU2.

 

[Munchen]

The Asus DCU2 cooler is superior to the reference cooler of any GPU, including the NVidia one which is pretty good for stock. The 290 reference cooler is way worse than the DCU2 cooler.

Overall the 290 is a better performer than the 780 so since you are lucky enough to not have the insane overprice we have here in the US. They just bumped it another $100 over the retail price. So instead of $450 we now are paying $700 for a R9 290 DCU2.

Whoa! The funny part is that when you convert the price on the 290 DCU2, it costs around 650 - and prices haven't been raised at all! That just shows how expensive hardware is here 🙁

But how come so many people gets the Reference version of the nVidia cards like 780, 780Ti etc..? I've heard that the reference fan is better when doing SLI, but everyone can't be doing SLI.. I just see the green LED's when checking out custom rigs around the internet!

 

[jimmysmitty]

The Asus DCU2 cooler is superior to the reference cooler of any GPU, including the NVidia one which is pretty good for stock. The 290 reference cooler is way worse than the DCU2 cooler.

Overall the 290 is a better performer than the 780 so since you are lucky enough to not have the insane overprice we have here in the US. They just bumped it another $100 over the retail price. So instead of $450 we now are paying $700 for a R9 290 DCU2.

Whoa! The funny part is that when you convert the price on the 290 DCU2, it costs around 650 - and prices haven't been raised at all! That just shows how expensive hardware is here 🙁

But how come so many people gets the Reference version of the nVidia cards like 780, 780Ti etc..? I've heard that the reference fan is better when doing SLI, but everyone can't be doing SLI.. I just see the green LED's when checking out custom rigs around the internet!

Yea the R9 290X is now $900 USD here for a DCU2 and $750 for a R9 290 DCU2. They love to gouge us.

As for the reference nVidias, it is better due to the fact that it is a blower. It pulls air in the end and blows all of it out the back of the case where as coolers like Asus DCU2 blows some out the back of the card and some out the front. That means the top GPU will run a bit warmer since it will pull warmer air from the back of the lower GPU and as well since heat rises whatever pushes out the front of the lower GPU will also hit the top GPU.

If you plan on getting a single GPU, then a Asus DCU2 is a better option but if you plan to say SLI, the reference will allow the GPUs to keep a bit cooler.